Performance Certificate For Inaugural Antarctica Cup Course Record

WSSRC News

The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) has announces a new "Performance Certificate" for the inaugural Antarctica Cup Course Record set by Fedor KONYUKHOV.

Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor KONYUKHOV set the time for the Performance Certificate when he returned to Albany, Western Australia on 7 May after becoming the first sailor to complete the so-called 'Antarctica Cup Racetrack'. The Racetrack starts in Albany, loops around Antarctica with the outer and inner boundaries of the course located on latitude 45° South and latitude 60° South, before finishing back in Albany.

For the bearded 56 year old sailor, this was his fourth solo circumnavigation and according to KONYUKHOV he is not planning another anytime soon. "Having just spent 95 days in the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes, I'm not planning to go back in the near future. But the Southern Ocean provides the most spectacular sailing conditions in the world. If I go again, it will be with a crew to make the most of the wild surfing rides you get down there," he said shortly after finishing.

Setting out from Albany with his Open 85ft monohull Trading Network Alye Parusa on Australia Day - 26 January he braved a succession of storms, freezing temperatures, the ever present threat of icebergs and collisions with wales. KONYUKHOV came through it all unscathed, returning to King George Sound on 7 May to record a time of 102 days, 00 hours, 56 minutes and 50 seconds for this 16,400 mile circuit of Antarctica.

He had set out from Falmouth, Great Britain on 12 October 2007, and discounting a five-day stop in Cape Town and two weeks in Albany prior to the start, his 85 foot yacht has been 'home' for the past six months. "We have done 30,000 miles together and now have the greatest respect for her. But I am looking forward now to a nice thick steak, a shower, clean sheets, and 12 hours of sleep. It sounds basic, but that is exactly what I need," KONYUKHOV told reporters gathered on Albany Dock to greet him back

To commemorate this inaugural voyage, Bob WILLIAMS, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup Race Management announced that they will name Gate 12 (0° W - 0° E) within the Racetrack as the Konyukhov Gate.